World Traveler

If you are vegetarian and thinking about going to The Philippines, please, think again! I was warned about it before I went but like usual I took no notice and thought that it wouldn’t be as extreme as I had been told. Once again I was wrong!

People seem to survive on eating meat and cakes only, you can’t even find vegetables anywhere and that’s probably why every second shop is a pharmacy! I was there for 21 days and after six hours I was already wondering how I was going to manage.

In the odd restaurant there was a vegetarian option, although that was very rare and I was always asked what mean I would like with it but I spent most of the three weeks I was there eating cakes. Bakeries are open 24 hours, even in remote towns where there are hardly any people – very strange! Cake for breakfast, cake for lunch and, lucky me, cake for dinner. Don’t get me wrong, I love cake but I was actually getting good at being healthy before all this!

As I travelled around some of the 7,000 islands of the Philippines, occasionally I was lucky enough to come across a Pizza Hut so I could actually eat “a real meal� and by the time that my 21 days were up I was craving vegetables, I would even dream of them. At least I finally found a way of getting my mind to stop thinking about cake all day, but it didn’t work for long!

Read more about mishaps in The Philippines……

(Photo by Wade Shepard http://www.TravelerPhotographs.com)

I had a Moroccan boyfriend and we had been seeing each other for a few years, he never really saw his family back in Morocco, so he took me to go and see them. They lived in a small town an hour or so from Tangiers but trying to get a flight to where you want to go in Morocco is a nightmare. We ended up flying into Casablanca and then getting a taxi for about five hours to Larache, his home town (taxi’s are very cheap).

made me much less nervous as I hate meeting parents, I get really clumsy and smash all their expensive china or spill red wine over their new white carpet, its never good!) I was grabbed and hugged, then they would all talk about me and then grab me and hug me again. It was really sweet.

They made us food, talk about a feast but it was totally delicious, I always clear my plate and eat until I nearly throw up and this seemed to please them but they kept filling up my plate. They ended up making a
huge feast every hour or two and me and my boyfriend were feeling really sick from eating too much so he kept trying to make himself sick to make room for more food, it was totally crazy. In the end we would
wake up early in the morning, have breakfast only, then stay out all day so we just had to do one dinner (instead of three, plus lunch, plus three other meals!) I realised later that if you clear your plate its a silent request for more, whoops!

The only thing I hated about being out all day is that everyone stared at me, in a very obvious “I’m staring at you” kind of way, even three year old children. I hated it. I was always the only woman in any cafe and there is never even a woman’s toilet and I generally got loads of hassle everywhere I went but I guess its a small town and you know what they re like. In that respect I preferred Casablanca much better, plus is mainly French so I could get by on the language!

Read more about Africa……

Peru’s capital city is also arguably Latin America’s fine dining capital. Lima is host to thousands of restaurants of every taste and price range. The close proximity of the ocean makes fresh seafood a local favorite, but there are restaurants catering to every international taste. Here are our favorites:

L’Eau Vive
This strange restaurant is actually run entirely by an order of French of nuns. The nuns serve and prepare everything on the extensive menu, which includes specialty dishes from all over the world. It is set in a spacious colonial home in central Lima, and is surprisingly quiet inside relative to the hustle and bustle of Lima’s streets. All proceeds go to various charities.

Las Tejas
Set in a cozy street in the suburb of Miraflores, Las Tejas is one of our top choices for lunch. The menu specializes in typical Peruvian fare, and everything on the menu is fantastic. Try any one of their large for-two sampler appetizer plates and you won’t be disappointed.

Restaurant Huaca Pucllana
The atmosphere at Restaurant Hauca Pucllana is one of a kind. The large patio overlooks the ancient temple Hauca Pucllana, and although spectacular enough during the day, the ruins are even more impressive while floodlit at night. Try the scallops with parmesan or anticucho (marinated and grilled beef heart) as an appetizer, and be sure to scour their extensive wine list for a unique bottle.

La Rosa Nautica
This restaurant is visible from many of the cliffs in Lima, as the building is perched on the end of Playa Costa Verde’s pier. The atmosphere inside is as memorable as the interesting location. The waves splash below your feet as the water is floodlit in the evening. La Rosa Nautica is the best place to try Peru’s ‘national cocktail,’ pisco sour. Pisco is a white-grape brandy that is fantastic when blended with lemon juice, ice, and egg whites. The pisco sour is endlessly popular with locals and visitors alike.

Las Brujas de Cachiche
Las Brujas is based on legends from the village of Cachiche of witches and temptresses; startling murals of several female sorcerers adorn the walls of the cozy bar. It has a number of truly traditional Peruvian dishes that are also sophisticated and unique. Be sure to take a peek at the lovely bar upstairs, as well.

Although you’ll find stellar international cuisine at any of the aforementioned restaurants, don’t pass up the unique and surprising dishes that are traditional to Peru. Besides the pisco sour, here are some other specialties to try:

Ceviche
Don’t be fooled by ceviche in Mexico! Peruvian ceviche is the best in the world; fresh fish and other seafood is marinated for a short time in powerful lemon juice with enormous corn on the cob and potatoes. The marinade is so tasty that many Peruvian’s refer to the cloudy liquid as tiger’s milk.

Cuy
Pan-fried or grilled guinea pigs are a favorite of locals across the country. Although sometimes a bit greasy, cuy is very flavorful and delightful. Restaurant Huaca Pucllana and Las Brujas both have fantastic cuy dishes.

Causa
No exotic meal in Lima is complete without this chilled layered casserole of mashed potatoes, tuna or crabmeat, and avocado. Best as an appetizer, causa is a delicious dish from the highlands.

Side note: Keep an eye on your bill at the end of every meal; often gratuity or a cover charge is included already.

dining in Lima, Las Brujas, pisco sour

This is the final installment in a series on jobs that allow you to travel. Today’s travel job is catering. It is related to the chef travel job, but it is still a different animal. Here is what CNN Travel says about catering:

Caterers who create a name for themselves in the U.S. industry can earn a trusted reputation and follow clients to overseas events. Rock stars and celebrities may have a variety of different catering companies working for them throughout the United States, but larger acts and A-listers like to have a trusted source to make sure their diet is in line with their requests. Working for one of these companies may put you on tour with the band, and if national gigs go well, you could find yourself overseas for the next tour.

Now, the cool thing is that you can work for a catering company in a variety of capacities. While a manager or a chef has to have experience and training, it is possible to get in as a server with little to no experience. You just need to be willing to learn and work hard at that level. And, of course, if you go international, you’ll have to get that passport.

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Today is the second installment of our look at great jobs that allow you to travel. Chef is one of those jobs. If you are an established chef, you can become a world class chef by working in international restaurants and hotels. The chef business doesn’t pay a ton internationally, but it’s not too bad. Here is a breakdown of the pay, according to CNN Travel:

Kingsbrook USA Inc. is one company that works to place chefs in international regions. They reported England’s hotel chef positions as offering £14000, or roughly $26,730 U.S. dollars per year for Chef deParties. Kingsbrook also reported between $32,458 and $38,186 per year for Sous Chefs and between $38,186 and $47,732 per year for Head Chef.

If you are going to try to be a world class chef, you will need at least three years experience, along with an associate degree in something culinary. Health records and exams, and letters of reference, are likely to be required as well.

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If you like horses, and if you like wine, you can have the best of both worlds when you go horseback riding in Italy’s chianti region. This ride will take you between the famous city of Florence, and the less famous city of Siena. You will ride through Castellina and Radda, which are well known for their fine wineries.

But horseback riding in Italy’s chianti region isn’t just about the wine (although that is a good part of it — don’t neglect Montalcino, where Brunello is made). You should make sure that you try the local Tuscan specialty: bistecca al fiorentina. This is one of the best ways to eat a t-bone that I’ve ever tried. Also, enjoy the medieval and Gothic architecture that abounds in Siena (check out the Palio festival on July 2 and August 16) and San Gimignano (see the Sword in the Stone at the Abbey of San Galgano, a little to the south).

Horseback riding in Italy’s chianti region offers you the perfect opportunity to take life at a slower pace, and enjoy the sights — and the tastes — of Tuscany.

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If you are looking for an interesting experience in Berlin (and the former East Berlin at that), you should see about trying Berliner weisse. And the best place to get Berliner weisse just might be the Alt-Berliner Weissbierstube. And you may have to visit the Alt-Berliner Weissbierstube to get this sour drink. It is rapidly disappearing from the brewery scene. The New York Times offers this insight into Berliner weisse:

Thus the rub: though Germany is home to some of the greatest beer culture on the planet, local flavor is increasingly elusive. Ever since the rise of lagers like Pilsener and the spread of industrial brewing in the late 19th century, dozens, if not hundreds, of charismatic local beers have disappeared.

“It happened very quickly,â€? said Ron Pattinson, whose European Beer Guide lists many obsolete and rare German beers, including broyhan from Hannover, mumme from Braunschweig and keut from Münster. “The older styles were overwhelmed, and what we’ve got left are just the odd remnants of beers. It’s like a landscape that has been swamped, and you can just make out the odd tree and hilltop.â€?

So, if you are looking for a piece of this dwindling beer culture, you might have to travel to Berlin quickly. And to take the edge of the sour, order your Berliner weisse with shots of syrup.

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If you are looking for the best Italian food in Boston (and there is plenty of good Italian food in Boston’s North End), you should try Dolce Vita Ristorante.

Dolce Vita Ristorante has great Italian food. In fact, this is where we went for my wedding brunch. It was reasonably priced (rigth around $15 - $22 for an entree; you will pay about $37 for a full meal), and delicious. Although my husband, who is Italian-American, would probably blast me because Dolce Vita Ristorante’s specialty is Sicilian food (that’s not “true” Italian, even if it is delicious, he’d tell me). The food is prepared by a man who is actually from Sicily, and the highlight is the simple, yet elegant, presentation. The atmosphere is charming and intimate, and you will find yourself wanting to relax away the afternoon with good food and good friends.

Dolce Vita Ristorante is located at 221 Hanover Street in Boston. You can see a map of the location, and read reviews, at the Google Maps site for Dolce Vita Ristorante.

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Madrid, Spain is not known for its vegetarian restaurants. However, if you are looking for vegatarian food, head over to La Biotika. Not only does La Biotika serve vegetarian food, it is inexpensive and quite good. La Biotika is located at Amor de Dios, east of the famous Plaza Santa Ana. This is great, as it allows you the chance to do some sightseeing before or after you get your food.

Some of the delicious vegetarian offerings provided by La Biotika include homemade soup, salads (which are generous is portion size) and a variety of creative and tasty dishes made from tofu and a variety of vegetables (like zucchini). The recommended specialty of La Biotika is a rather amazing vegetable “meat” ball. While veggies will never taste just like meat, the veggie “meat” ball actually has a great texture and tastes good.

And, you can’t argue with the price. You can get this vegetarian food at Madrid’s premier vegitarian restaurant starting at as low as 7 euro (a little more than $8). You can also get some additional vegetarian eats at La Biotika’s macrobiotic market.

Click here for a list of more restaurants in Madrid.

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Easter is coming up, and if you are anywhere near Chicago, it might be worth a go at Ray’s Bucktown B&B. There are a surprising amount of bed and breakfast establishments in Chicago, and Ray’s in one of the more interesting. The specialty at Ray’s Bucktown B&B in Chicago is his red potatoes. The Chicago Tribune reports on these tasty treats:

One of his secret weapons? Ray’s roasted reds, easy-to-make baked red potatoes that have been marinated in an aromatic blend of garlic, olive oil and rosemary. Reiss began serving this house specialty at “everything from client parties to poker nights to Scrabble Sundays,” speaking of the gatherings he has hosted at his home, which morphed into the bed-and-breakfast in 2005. “The reds could sit on the table all night, get cold and still taste good.”

And if you are looking for a great Easter Brunch in Chicago come Sunday, it might not be a bad idea to enjoy a stay at Ray’s Bucktown B&B.

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Good Mexican food is not what normally comes to mind when you think of Memphis. However, this Tennessee destination does have some pretty good offerings in Mexican food department. If you are looking for a taste of the southwest in the South, all it takes is a little time to round up the best options for good Mexican food in Memphis.

Cheap Mexican food in Memphis

One of the best places to find good, cheap Mexican food in Memphis is to hear to El Porton Mexican Restaurant. This restaurant has a true Mexican flavor, with inexpensive, yet tasty, food and good prices on margaritas. Additionally, this is Mexican Restaurant that you can bring your kids to, and it also caters to large groups. You can find the best cheap Mexican restaurant in Memphis at 5959 Winchester Road.

More Mexican food in Memphis

Josie’s Tamales, 1289 S. Lauderdale St., offers good Mexican food for affordable prices.

If you are looking for more of a store for Mexican goods and food, you can visit the Mercado Latino at 4118 Jackson Ave. This store offers everything you need to create your own Mexican masterpieces.

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If you are looking for a cheap New York City lunch, there are plenty of places scattered throughout the city. However, the key is finding good food for cheap prices. And one of the best ways to go about this is to look for pizza places. And if you are looking for the best pizza in New York City, you might try looking at Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitano.

Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitano

This pizzeria started out at the gateway to Coney Island. Now, though, there are four locations: 1524 Neptune Ave in Brooklyn, two in Manhattan (462 Second Ave between 26th & 27th and 1544 Second Ave between 80th & 81st), and even one out in Westchester (125 Tuckahoe Rd. in Yonkers, inside the Ramada). Zagats has suggested that Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitano is the best pizza in New York City, and in NYC, that’s saying a lot.

And besides, Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitano offers a great value. The atmosphere is not fancy (nor should it be), but it is comfortable, and you can enjoy yourself. And there are plenty of subjects for people watching. The restaurant offers great service, friendly people and excellent value. You truly get your money’s worth when you choose a New York City lunch at Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitano.

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Vienna, Austria is known as “Europe’s Main Street” and you can find pretty much anything you want on a visit to Vienna. Including an authentic Irish pub. Irish pubs are popular throughout mainland Europe, but there are few Irish pubs as authentic as Flanagan’s Irish Pub in Vienna. Why? Because this Irish pub is actually from Ireland.

Flanagans Irish Pub: carried across sea and continent

Originally, Flanagan’s Irish Pub stood for centuries in Church-town, County Cork in Ireland. It was a public house in the village. Then it was taken down, quite carefully, piece by piece and carried to Vienna. It was rebuilt as an Irish pub in 1996, and named Flanagan’s. It is owned and staffeed by Irish residents of Vienna. Flanagan’s Irish Pub offers an array of expected pub foods (tasty and reasonably priced), and, of course, Guiness on tap. Additionally, there are plenty of TVs throughout the establishment, tuned to sports. A big screen TV in the back is ideal for watching soccer matches. There are plenty of ex-pats mingling with the local crowd so that the authentic flavor remains true.

The pub’s closing time is 4 a.m., so things become really lively later in the evening. Whether looking for a bit of a break from the club scene, or just looking for a place to relax, you can find what you’re looking for at Flanagan’s Irish Pub.

Tags: Flanagan’s Irish Pub, Irish Pubs Europe, Irish Pub Vienna, Vienna,
Austria

Even though Tasmania is one of the more well-known parts of Australia, hardly anyone goes there. Tasmania is an island, separated from “mainland” Australia by the Bass Strait. The Bass Strait is 149 miles wide, and that tends to put some vacationers off. But their mistake can be your gain. Since only about three percent of travelers to Australia also visit Tasmania, you can escape the crowds and enjoy a lovely time. Especially if you come ready to eat.

Culinary tours in Tasmania

Tasmania, though largely government-protected, offers some great tour opportunities. Agritours that include food, wine and even wildlife are widely available. Culinary tours of Tasmania start mainly in the northern city of Launceston. There is a great wildlife and wine tour that takes you along the Tamar River. Not only will you see beautiful scenery and maybe some wildlife, but you can enjoy exquisite wines from the slow-ripening grapes. Tasmania produces some great riesling, charonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot.

You can also enjoy culinary tours of Tasmania that head toward Mount Victoria Reserve. You can take in Ralph Falls, the tallest in Tasmania. Plus, along the way, you will get a taste of the Cadbury Chocolate Factory and the Cascade Brewery.

And no matter what culinary tours in Tasmania you choose, you will feast on regional delights including local cheese and fruit, Wallaby steaks seasoned with feijobanna, oysters and rock lobsters.

Tags: Tasmania, culinary tours Tasmania, Tasmania Australia, Cascade Brewery,
Mount Victoria Reserve, Launceston, Tamar River

No matter where you go in the world, it seems as though you can get great Spanish food at low prices. The same is true in Amsterdam. You can get a great meal at any tapas restaurant in the city, but if you want the best, head to Duende. The food is great, and the prices (around $5 to $12) can’t be beat. Plus, Duende is located in the Amsterdam section of town known as the Jordaan. Spanish tapas dishes are small dishes in variety. You can choose out one or two, or you can choose even more to make a meal. They are easy to share with friends as well. And Duende features flamenco dancing. You can watch, or even join in and learn. As far as bang for your food buck, Duende in Amsterdam’s Jordaan offers the best deal, with its wine and beer selection, great food, atmosphere, entertainment and reasonable prices.

The Jordaan is a hotspot because of the many activities available, from museums to monuments to markets and architecture. And, of course, dining. You can enjoy the culture available in the Jordaan, and plenty of tasty food will be close at hand.

Click here to read about Japanese food in Amsterdam.

Tags: Spanish flavor Amsterdam, Spanish tapas Amsterdam, Spanish tapas, Jordaan Amsterdam,
the Jordaan, flamenco Amsterdam